Laine, Jaana (2017)

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Tiivistelmä

Every day an estimated 830 women die due to complications of pregnancy and child birth. Maternal mortality has decreased 43 percent between the years 1990 and 2015. Still, 99 percent of the deaths occur in developing countries and most of these complications are preventable or treatable. The leading cause of maternal deaths is severe bleeding after child birth.

Abstract: This master´s thesis is a literature review about the use of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment in obstetrical hemorrhages. The aim of the study has been to find results on how does the NASG effect obstetrical bleeding, recovery, and maternal mortality. The findings will serve Finnish Red Cross in humanitarian work in catastrophe areas.

Method: The study was conducted by descriptive literature review and depicted a qualitative answer to the research question. The selected articles (n = 16) were analysed with inductive content analysis.

Results: The review produced four main categories: 1) Physiological impacts, 2) Treatments, 3) Professional qualification and 4) Community effects. The analysis showed that with help of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) blood loss decreased 42-55%, vital signs and restoration of circulatory stabilized rapidly, mortality was reduced 34-66%, morbidity decreased 44-66% and there were 32-73% lower EAOs. The need of invasive treatments, like hysterectomies, decreased 45-56%. The NASG is not a definitive treatment and IV fluids, uterotonics, and blood products are needed. There were no severe side effects during NASG use and contraindicators are related to heart failure. Studies observed that the use of the NASG was easy to learn, to apply, and to observe the patient using it. It is known to be low-cost but before initialization it needs support and effort from local health policy makers.

Conclusion: The NASG has several positive results in obstetrical hemorrhages. It can be recommended for use in catastrophe areas and developing countries where delays in reaching definitive treatments are common and the resources of treatments are limited.